Pasta and Beans with Pork Rind Festival

A festival born from devotion

The Pasta and Beans with Pork Rind Festival in Pisoniano, a small town in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, in the Lazio region, is one of the most cherished gastronomic events in the Monti Prenestini. This is no manufactured tourist attraction: it originates from the celebrations in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary, which the community traditionally observes in early October, and is organized by the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary, a historic local association. Devotion and cuisine go hand in hand, as is the case in many festivals of the Lazio hinterland.

The dish and its history

At the heart of the evening is a staple of peasant cooking: pasta and beans with cotiche (pork rind), following the absolute rule of mountain households—nothing from the pig goes to waste. The preparation begins with a base of sautéed celery and onion made with extra virgin olive oil from the Monti Prenestini, one of the signature products of this corner of Lazio, and continues with a slow cook that makes the sauce thick and flavorful. It is an autumn dish, designed for the first cool evenings, which in Pisoniano is served in generous portions at stalls set up throughout the village streets.

More than just pasta and beans

Alongside the main dish, the stalls offer a selection of local products:

• local cured meats and cheeses, from area producers;
• homemade desserts, prepared by families and volunteers;
• regional wine, which naturally pairs with such a hearty dish;
• artisanal products and small exhibits along the festival route.

Music, games, and fireworks

The evening follows the classic format of Lazio festivals: food stalls opening in the early evening, live music in the square, and spaces dedicated to children with games and entertainment. The finale is marked by a fireworks display, a ritual that has been repeated in Pisoniano for years, drawing both residents and visitors to the streets. In the 2025 edition, the thirtieth, the live show featured Andrea Salvatori, and the fireworks began around 11:00 PM.

The village of Pisoniano

Pisoniano has a few hundred inhabitants and is located in the Aniene Valley, east of Rome, between Ciciliano, Gerano, and the ridges that separate the valley from the Prenestina plain. The historic center is a maze of alleys, arches, and stone stairways: during the festival, this urban fabric serves as the backdrop, with tables set up in the small squares and open spaces. Those who arrive early can take advantage of a stroll through the village streets and reach the panoramic viewpoints overlooking the valley.

A community event

The festival is explicitly family-friendly: affordable prices, a village atmosphere, and no barriers between those cooking and those eating. Most of the work is handled by the Confraternity volunteers and local families, and the proceeds support activities related to the religious celebrations. It is the type of event where one understands, more than anywhere else, what the word sagra means in the Lazio interior: not a show, but a community opening the doors of its village for an evening.

When to go

The event traditionally falls on the first weekend of October, usually on Saturday evening, coinciding with the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Dates are announced by the Confraternity and the Municipality of Pisoniano in the preceding weeks: it is advisable to check them before traveling.